Northgate Mall changes hours for teens

COLERAIN TOWNSHIP, OH (FOX19) - If you're under 17 and are not accompanied by an adult at the Northgate Mall then you won't have to go home, but you'll need to get off mall property.

This new policy goes into effect on March 4th and it only applies to Saturdays and Sundays after 5 p.m.

In a news release sent to Fox 19 Now, it reads in part, "The Northgate Mall Family Evenings policy is the result of valuable feedback we've received from our community, tenants and the Colerain Township Police regarding the potential safety challenges related to unsupervised youth at Northgate Malls on weekend evenings.

Earlier this month, Colerain Township police said around 100 kids were involved in a ruckus in the mall parking lot which resulted in several teens being arrested.

It's been reported that the ages of the teens were between 13 and 16.

It was the second weekend in a row police had to deal with unsupervised rowdy teens.

The new policy aims at taking care of this problem.

"Because life safety and the well-being of our patrons, tenants and community is Northgate Mall's top priority, we want to ensure that the children of the community are being properly supervised and that they are using Northgate Mall for its intended purpose after dark," said Theresa Dorlan, a spokesperson for the mall.

The new rules will require visitors 16 and under "must be (and remain) accompanied by a parent or supervising adult age 21 or older on Fridays and Saturdays beginning at 5 p.m.," a news release states.

Proof of age may be required and "those who lack proper identification may be asked to leave the property."

Those going to the Xscape Theatres after 5 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays cannot enter through the mall the news release states.

The new policy covers all property owned by the mall including parking lots and sidewalks but does not effect the theatre. The policy also does not affect mall employees.